MotoGP: Lorenzo unsure of status for Malaysia after slow start

It was a tough Friday in Malaysia for Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team), as the five-time MotoGP champion returned to action just nine days after wrist surgery

“It was difficult — I’m disappointed and frustrated because I wanted to be here in a better condition, said Lorenzo, who was declared fit to ride on Thursday but wound up over three seconds off the quickest time in Friday practice.

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“The pain I feel is normal because this kind of injury needs three weeks of mobility and I just took the cast off two days ago, seven days after the operation, so it’s normal to have this kind of pain and discomfort,” explained the Spaniard. “Like this is very difficult to be competitive… even if I push I can only go three or four seconds slower than the fastest one.”

Ducati tried different settings on the bike during Friday’s sessions to see if that could help, without any evident benefit. “Nothing on the bike has helped, just painkillers and anti-inflammatories,” affirmed Lorenzo, who indicated he would withdraw from the event if his condition does not improve.

“Let’s see what we can do and if the (clinic) can help me to be better tomorrow, with hours of resting,” he said. “If you can win a race, get a podium or top 10, then it makes sense to take a risk. If you push and you can only go three seconds slower than the fastest one, it doesn’t make too much sense (to race).

“Tomorrow we’ll make the decision of whether to go ahead or give the bike to Michele Pirro.”

Meanwhile, the LCR Honda Castrol Team revealed that its rider Cal Crutchlow has undergone a second round of surgery after the Briton sustained a fracture to his right ankle and tibia at Phillip Island. He currently remains in hospital in Australia, but is expected to be allowed to return home on Sunday.